New York / Vienna, 22 May 2014 - High-level officials and donor representatives gathered in New York today to renew their support for the West African region through the West Africa Coast Initiative (WACI).
In a statement to participants, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underscored: "The United Nations supports the efforts of ECOWAS and its Member States through the Regional Action Plan. I commend the WACI countries' engagement and the international donor partners' support."
Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Yury Fedotov, in his remarks, said: "We simply cannot afford to stand by while drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism devastate this already vulnerable region, and threaten international peace and security."
Drugs, crime and terrorism represent some of the greatest threats to security and development in West Africa. Illicit drugs, including heroin and cocaine, are heavily trafficked in the region. Around 33 tonnes of cocaine flowed through West Africa in 2010 and 18 tonnes were shipped to Europe, for an estimated value of US$1.25 billion.
Local manufacture of methamphetamines is booming with 1,250 kg of amphetamines seized in Côte d'Ivoire in 2013, and 227 kg seized in Nigeria between June 2012 and July 2013. The growth in illicit drugs is also fuelling public health and safety concerns, and HIV infections among injecting drug users appear to be increasing.
Conference participants heard that the WACI strategy had been revised to build far greater connectivity among transnational crime units (TCUs) in West Africa.
The high-level donor event was attended by ministers and representatives of Member States who made interventions supporting the initiative. Keynote speakers included, Herve Ladsous, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, and Said Djinnit, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the head of the UN Office for West Africa. New pledges to the WACI were announced.
WACI was launched in 2009 by UNODC, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Department of Political Affairs/UN Office for West Africa and INTERPOL. It is designed to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its Member States, as well as assist national and regional efforts in tackling the threats of drugs, crime and terrorism.
For further information please contact:
David Dadge
Spokesperson, UNODC
Telephone: (+43 1) 26060-5629
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-5629
Email: david.dadge[at]unvienna.org
